Lincoln Mayor Coleen J. Seng and the City Parks and Recreation Department will award Self-Help grants to 22 neighborhood associations and community organizations Thursday, March 11 during the Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Room 113 at the County-City Building, 555 South 10th.

"The Self-Help Program has had a major positive impact on our community's parks," said Mayor Seng. "Thanks to the donated labor volunteers provide for these projects, the City funds stretch further to do more. The program also gives builds neighborhood involvement and pride."

"We are pleased with the ongoing interest and support in improving Lincoln's parks," said Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson. "Over $84,000 in project requests were submitted for the $45,000 available through the Self-Help Program."

The Self-Help Program is funded through City general tax revenues and is approved by the City Council each year as part of the City budget process. The program typically provides for equipment and materials. Projects must be constructed on publicly owned property or involve programs available to the general public. The criteria for choosing which projects are funded include location, neighborhood support for the project and consistency with park plans.